Minor fluctuations in sea-level have been recorded in Tauranga and the East Cape as the first set of predicted tsunami waves hit New Zealand.

A warning was issued following an 8.3 magnitude earthquake that rocked Chile yesterday just before 12pm, NZ time.

A graphic showing the travel times for tsunami waves following Chile's 8.3 earthquake yesterday.

The first tsunami wave reached NZ at 11.50pm at the Chatham Islands.

They experienced waves of around 50cm in places and repeated ebbing and flowing of the tide, along with ocean noises associated with tide surge, says the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

North Cape, Great Barrier Island, Gisborne, Napier, Castlepoint, Wellington, Kaikoura and Christchurch also saw minor fluctuations in sea levels at the same time.

'We estimate these to be no more than 30cm.

'The tsunami warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM. Updates will be issued hourly," the Ministry said at 6.30am.

Areas under ‘Marine and Beach Threat':

Expect unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities.

The severity of currents and changing water flows will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect.

Current assessments indicate that coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected but this assessment may change.